Pints Per Person: The States With The Most Craft Breweries In 2024

American Craft Beer|September 26th, 2025|

When it comes to beer, not all states are created equal—especially if you measure breweries against population. While California may boast the sheer highest number of breweries overall, 2024’s per-capita stats tell a different story: small states with big beer cultures dominate the list.

Last April the Boulder, CO-based trade organization, the Brewers Association released its annual production report describing the state of the craft brewing industry in the US and in addition to ranking which states have the most craft breweries, it also counted states with the most breweries per 100,000 adults over 21.

At the very top sits Vermont, where the craft beer scene remains untouchable. With 15.4 breweries per 100,000 drinking-age adults, the Green Mountain State has more breweries than some cities have coffee shops. If you’ve ever sipped a Heady Topper by The Alchemist or visited Lawson’s Finest Liquids, you know exactly why Vermont wears the crown.

Not far behind is Maine, with 14.4 breweries per 100,000 adults. From Portland’s thriving brewery row to tiny coastal towns producing world-class beer, Maine continues to punch way above its weight.

Montana and Wyoming—two states better known for their wide-open landscapes—have quietly become craft beer havens, with 12.8 and 11.8 breweries per 100,000, respectively. When your nearest neighbor is 20 miles away, it makes sense that the local taproom doubles as a community hub.

Rounding out the top five is Alaska at 11.4 per 100,000, proving that even in the far north, people are thirsty for locally brewed pints. From Anchorage to Juneau, Alaskan brewers are carving out a style that’s as rugged and adventurous as the state itself.

Bigger states with longer craft beer legacies still make a strong showing: Colorado (10.3), Oregon (9.4), and Washington (7.5) remain heavyweights, but their booming populations make their per-capita numbers a little lower compared to their smaller cousins. Even Idaho and New Hampshire sneak into the top ten, showing that craft beer is thriving far beyond the usual hotspots.

Rank	State	Number of Craft Breweries Per Capita
1	Vermont	15.4
2	Maine	14.4
3	Montana	12.8
4	Wyoming	11.8
5	Alaska	11.4
6	Colorado	10.3
7	Oregon	9.4
8	New Hampshire	9.3
9	Washington	7.5
10	Idaho	7.1
11	New Mexico	6.8
12	South Dakota	6.7
13	Wisconsin	5.9
14	Michigan	5.6
15	Minnesota	5.6
16	Iowa	5.4
17	Pennsylvania	5.4
18	North Carolina	5.3
19	Virginia	5.3
20	Rhode Island	5.0
21	Delaware	4.9
22	Nebraska	4.9
23	Ohio	4.8
24	Connecticut	4.5
25	Massachusetts	4.3
26	Kansas	4.0
27	Missouri	4.0
28	Indiana	3.9
29	North Dakota	3.9
30	New York	3.7
31	California	3.3
32	South Carolina	3.3
33	Illinois	3.2
34	Kentucky	3.1
35	Tennessee	3.0
36	Maryland	3.0
37	District of Columbia	2.7
38	Oklahoma	2.7
39	West Virginia	2.7
40	Arkansas	2.6
41	Georgia	2.4
42	Hawaii	2.4
43	New Jersey	2.4
44	Arizona	2.3
45	Florida	2.2
46	Nevada	2.1
47	Utah	2.1
48	Texas	2.0
49	Louisiana	1.6
50	Alabama	1.4
51	Mississippi	1.0

What’s striking in 2024 is how this ranking reflects community as much as consumption. These aren’t just places with breweries—they’re states where breweries are woven into the culture, often serving as the local gathering place, that attract beer tourists and color the region.

So if you’re planning a beer-inspired road trip in 2025, take a road less traveled. Head to Vermont’s rural brewing enclaves, or maybe a Montana mountain town. Places where the beer is plentiful and the regional vibe even richer.